What is a potential adverse effect of oxygen therapy that healthcare providers should monitor?

Oxygen therapy is essential for treating patients with hypoxemia, but its use must be carefully monitored to prevent potential adverse effects. One significant concern is oxygen toxicity. This occurs when high concentrations of oxygen are delivered, particularly over prolonged periods, leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species. These species can cause cellular damage in various organs, particularly in the lungs, resulting in symptoms like chest pain, coughing, and difficulty breathing.

While hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and respiratory acidosis are relevant concerns in the context of respiratory therapy, they do not specifically relate to adverse effects caused by oxygen therapy itself. In fact, the goal of oxygen therapy is to alleviate hypoxemia. Hypercapnia refers to elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, which is generally more associated with hypoventilation rather than oxygen therapy directly. Respiratory acidosis can occur due to various reasons, including inadequate ventilation but is not an immediate concern linked to administering supplemental oxygen.

Thus, careful management of oxygen levels is necessary to prevent oxygen toxicity while still effectively treating patients' oxygenation needs.